Effect of nitrogen fertilization on yield and quality of durum wheat cultivated in northern Italy and their interaction with different soils and growing seasons

Durum wheat in temperate regions can lead to yields with higher technological quality and stability compared to Mediterranean areas. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of N fertilization on grain yield and quality, in different pedo-climatic conditions of temperate areas. Field experiments were conducted in two sites (sandy-loam and silty-clay-loam) in Northern-West Italy for three years: five different N rates, two different types of fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, nutritional activator, slow-release fertilizer) were compared considering yield, protein content and yellowberry. N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on protein than yield; the response was affected by soil texture and rainfall during the growing season. The use of different types of fertilizer seem to play a minor role. The management of N fertilization must consider mainly the effect on quality parameters of N rates and rainfall during the growing season and their interaction with soil texture.